FROM THIS EPISODE

Since the 1970's, Los Angeles has become a hub for Mexico's indigenous Zapotecs. Sonic Trace explores the connection between Santa Maria Tavehua, a tiny village in the hillsides of southern Mexico, and LA's Koreatown – where more than half the village now lives.

In this story, we hear from 33-year-old Julieta Mendez, an LA-born Zapoteca who traveled to Santa María Tavehua to find out why her mother left... and why Julieta had to return to move on.

Julieta's story comes to us from Sonic Trace, a new storytelling project from KCRW. It was produced by Anayansi Diaz-Cortes and Eric Pearse-Chavez. It is part of Localore and the Association of Independents in Radio (AIR). It's funded by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.